2012 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

The third and final edition of my 2012 NFL mock draft.

The NFL draft is finally upon us and there have been a lot of changes from my previous mock. Here's how I expect the first round to play out. -

1. Indianapolis Colts - QB Andrew Luck, Stanford

2. Washington Redskins - QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor

3. Minnesota Vikings - OT Matt Kalil, USC

4. Cleveland Browns - RB Trent Richardson, Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Morris Claiborne, LSU

- There has been a lot of last minute shuffling in the top five picks in the past 48 hours, but I am sticking to my guns and believe each of these picks will make an immediate impact on their respective teams.

6. St. Louis Rams - WR Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

7. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE Melvin Ingram, SC

8. Miami Dolphins - QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

9. Carolina Panthers - CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina

10. Buffalo Bills - OG David Decastro, Stanford

- Both Fletcher Cox and Luke Kuechly could be in these last picks, but I believe the Mark Barron rumors are just that.

11. Kansas City Chiefs - LB Luke Kuechly, Boston College

12. Seattle Seahawks - DE Quinton Copples, UNC

13. Arizona Cardinals - WR Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

14. Dallas Cowboys - S Mark Barron, Alabama

15. Philadelphia Eagles - DL Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State

- Some quality players in the last five selections that seem to fill a number of key needs for each team. With Barron's stock rising, Dallas would be thrilled to pick him at fourteen. Also, could the Eagles move up to select Cox? I think it's a legitimate possibility.

16. New York Jets - DE Chandler Jones, Syracuse

17. Cincinnati Bengals - CB Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama

18. San Diego Chargers - LB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois

19. Chicago Bears - OT Riley Reiff, Iowa

20. Tennessee Titans - DL Michael Brockers, LSU

- Chandler Jones stock has been going through the rough, but Courtney Upshaw could be the pick for New York. Dontair Poe was also a consideration for Chicago, but I think they would like to upgrade the offensive line at this point.

Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick could go a number of different directions in this year's draft. (FILE:Icon/SMI)

21. Cincinnati Bengals - OG Cordy Glenn, Georgia

22. Cleveland Browns - WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

23. Detroit Lions - OT Jonathan Martin, Stanford

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - DL Dontari Poe, Memphis

25. Denver Broncos - DL Jerel Worthy, Michigan State

26. Houston Texans - WR Rueben Randle, LSU

- A pair of receivers and some upgrading in the trenches for the teams in this area of the round. Dont'a Hightower is also a legitimate option for Pittsburgh, but there linebackers have all been taken after the first round; I believe they look to upgrade the defensive line.

27. New England Patriots - LB Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

28. Green Bay Packers - LB Nick Perry, USC

29. Baltimore Ravens - LB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama

30. San Francisco 49ers - OG Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin

31. New England Patriots - LB Shea McClellin, Boise State

32. New York Giants - RB Doug Martin, Boise State

- The Patriots double dip in the front seven and come away with two versatile players with a ton of talent. Of course, would it surprise anyone if Bill Belichick trades out? I could certainly envision a move back with one of the selections.

Even though I did not mock any trades into this draft, I would expect the Patriots to trade back at 31 to a team like the Browns or another team trying to select a quarter back. Should make for some interesting drama at the end of the night.

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